SkySong apartment site, hotel expansion win OK from council

A luxury apartment complex east of SkySong, the Arizona State University Scottsdale Innovation Center, and expansion of downtown's Hotel Valley Ho were among proposals approved this week by the Scottsdale City Council.

The council approved the rezoning and a site plan with amended development standards so Mark-Taylor can build the 536-unit, gated apartment complex near SkySong. The project is a $70 million, private-sector development that will bring 800 to 900 new residents to the McDowell Road corridor, said Lynne Lagarde, a zoning attorney representing Mark-Taylor.

The developer is acquiring land along the south side of McDowell between 74th Street and Miller Road for the nearly 25-acre project. Most of the land is occupied by the abandoned Los Arcos Crossing shopping center. SkySong previously had issues with the plan, saying it provided for no connectivity between the apartment complex and the center. However, all issues have since been resolved, said Paul Gilbert, an attorney representing SkySong.

"The multiuse path was moved to the north and that was very important to us," he said. "Secondly, they came up with a new site plan ... that showed the secondary entrance along 74th Street with a large, attractive fountain and a semi-circle of rich landscaping, so SkySong Boulevard doesn't dead end into the back end of the project."

Mark-Taylor anticipates starting construction as early as next summer, Lagarde said.

Mayor Jim Lane said the proposal is a "great project" for an area that was "potentially moving to a blighted area."

Also at the meeting, the council approved modified zoning stipulations, amended development standards and a new development plan for about 70 hotel rooms, a ballroom with meeting rooms and parking facilities on a 4-acre site at the southwestern corner of Main and 69th streets. Westroc Hotels & Resorts requested the changes in anticipation of future expansion of the Valley Ho.

According to the plan, the land is divided into two areas, with the northern two-thirds of the site to include the guest rooms, ballroom and meeting rooms, and the southern one-third to house parking and service access.

by Edward Gately The Arizona Republic Nov. 3, 2011 06:15 AM



SkySong apartment site, hotel expansion win OK from council